The Lao People's Democratic Republic is Southeast Asia's only landlocked country, sharing borders with Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Lao has one of the most pristine natural landscapes in Southeast Asia, with rugged, thickly forested mountains and plateaus making up most of the total area.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic is Southeast Asia's only landlocked country, sharing borders with Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Lao has one of the most pristine natural landscapes in Southeast Asia, with rugged, thickly forested mountains and plateaus making up most of the total area. Laos is crisscrossed by a myriad of rivers and stream, the most important of which is the Mekong River. Forming a natural border with Thailand in some areas, the Mekong passes through nearly 1,900 kilometers of Lao territory, shaping the way of life of almost 70 percent of the country's 6.5 million people.

The Lao system of 20 National Protected Areas covers nearly 14 % of the country. With large tracts of tropical monsoon forest, diverse wildlife populations and bizarre karst limestone formations riddled with caves. There are many existing opportunities for ecotourism activities such as trekking, rafting, bird watching and camping that allow you to experience first-hand the country magnificent natural and cultural diversity.

Laos is home to over one hundred species of large mammals. Many of these are familiar Asian species such as tiger, Asian elephant and guar (a species of wild cattle). Lao also holds and impressive diversity of primates including five species of gibbon, five species of macaque nad four species of leaf monkey. Birds with over 700 species recorded to date and new species being added to the country list.

The small town of Vang Vieng 150 km north of the capital is set in a dreamlike landscape of bizarre limestone mountain peaks and sheer cliffs with the Nam Song River bisecting the town. At the base of the town's limestone mountains are a network of caves to explore. There are a variety of well-developed tourism services in Vang Vieng and a wide range of accommodations. Water sports such as kayaking and tubing are popular and rock climbing is also a growing pastime.

Lao PDR's heritage includes the Luang Prabang, historic city dating back as far as the 14th century which is now a living UNESCO World Heritage Site. This wonderful town has become a "Tourism Mecca" in Southeast Asia, popular with both regional and long-haul visitors. Another is Vat Phou Champasak is an excellent example of early and classic Khmer Architecture, dating from the 7th to 12th century and at the foot of Vat Phou is the Ancient City of Settapura dated 5th century. Xieng Khoung Province has the Plain of Jars, with over 3,000 large stone urns spreading over 60 major sites, weighting from 2-3 tons each, aged to be about 3,000 years old. Huaphanh Province has Hin Tang Archaeological Park and the historic caves at Viengxay, one of 15 National Heritage Sites.

The best time to visit Laos is between October and May, when most festivals and traditions are celebrated in accordance with harvest seasons for historical Buddhist practices. Indulge in street revelries of Boun Pimay Lao (the Lunar New Year Festivities) in mid- April, or you can choose to join in the celebrations of the Boun Bang Fai( the rocket festival) in May, and That Luang Festival in November. Renowed for its fine woven silk and cotton, you can find the best of Laotiane handicraft especially at the Morning Market.

This festival consists of a variety of activities. A traditional dance is performed in circle. In addition to this, men will wear traditional Lao women’s clothes and cosmetics, as people tie the clothes on each other. In the afternoon, people take artificial elephant and horse mock-ups around the host village. Furthermore, each village will prepare rockets for the rocket competition. The village that is able to launch its rocket the highest up in the sky, wins. The rocket competition is held in order to demonstrate appreciation to “Payathene” who provides people with the rains necessary for agriculture.

Boun Pimai New Year festival, begins in mid - April and lasts for three days. Held before the onset of the rainy season, it recognizes the importance of water in people’s lives. It’s also a purification festival during which the Buddha images in the household and the temples are ritually cleaned with sacred water.

Start training for one of the best running races in Laos. Yes, Vientiane International Half Marathon 2017 (VIHM) is coming. This year race will be held on Sunday March 12, 2017. The distances of 21Kilometer, 10.5KM, and 5KM will take place in the heart of Vientiane Capital, Laos.

As a living icon with important symbolic connotations and historical associations in Laos, the elephant is an animal dear to the hearts of the Lao people. The Elephant Festival is a celebration of culture and traditional ties between Lao communities and elephant, as well as drawing attention to the endangered status of this charismatic Species.

This religious festival is held at Sikhottabong stupa, located about 8 kilometers south of Thakhek. A trade fair is also held at the festival featuring the display and sales of products from over 130 exhibitors from the nine districts of this central province along with goods from neighboring Thailand.

This is the largest festival in Champasak province and one of the largest in the entire country. This festival attracts thousands of people each year, who gather at the base of the ancient Vat Phou temple for prayer ceremonies and to enjoy the festivities.